"We expect Malaysia to take the leading and coordinating role, come up with a new search plan for the jet at an early date, and take the investigation seriously," Li said in talks with visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is on six-day official visit to China.

Li reviewed China's cooperation with Malaysia since the plane went missing on March 8 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. "We have never stopped our search efforts and place great importance on the related investigation and settlement."

Li called on Malaysia to respond to passengers' families legitimate appeals and properly settle the issue.

"Let me once again express sorrow and condolences to the next of kin, and to the families involved. We owe it to them to continue the search," Najib said.

Najib said Malaysia will continue to do the search together with China, Australia and other countries, "because this tragic incident is so complex and unprecedented, and requires the cooperation of several countries if we want to be successful."

Najib stressed his commitment to finding "solutions and answers to what really happened to this aircraft and do whatever we can to help and soothe the feelings of the next of kin."

Najib started his China visit on Tuesday in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. He came to Beijing on Wednesday for more political and cultural events.